Roots of the Protests: Economic Crisis and Social Repression

The protests began when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their stores to protest the collapse of the rial, which had lost roughly half its value in 2025. Driven by soaring inflation, sanctions reimposition, and years of mismanagement, this economic freefall quickly pushed ordinary Iranians into the streets across all 31 provinces. Food prices rose by an average of 72% compared to the previous year, and inflation hovered around 40%, making necessities unaffordable for large segments of the population.

But economic grievances soon merged with deeper political frustrations. Many protesters revived chants from past uprisings — most notably the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. At only 22, Masha was beaten to death by the ayatollah’s morality police because a lock of her hair escaped her hijab.

Decades of systemic repression, discrimination, corruption, and government brutality — particularly against women — have fueled broader calls for fundamental political change.

Prior to the Islamic regime’s takeover in 1979, Iran was among the freest nations in the Middle East, other than Israel. Women dressed in western clothing and were welcomed in universities, government, and tech jobs. Women were even allowed to drive in Iran, something that Saudi Arabian women have only been able to do since 2017.

Why Iranians Continue to Rise Up

Despite the risks, Iranians from diverse backgrounds continue to protest because the status quo has become untenable. The convergence of economic despair, gender-based repression, political exclusion, and systemic violence has convinced many that reform under the ayatollah is impossible.

Today’s movement is broader and more determined than past uprisings, reflecting both worsening living conditions and a belief that meaningful change will only come from sustained pressure on the streets. But it is also, I believe, representative of the Iranian people’s view of U.S. President Donald Trump as a force that even the ayatollah cannot scare.

The United States cannot simply mouth words of support and encouragement but then leave the Iranian people out to dry. To do so is to give them false hope that will only get them killed.

If the United States TRULY wants peace in the Middle East, it will not come from a Gaza luxury redevelopment deal, but from supporting the Iranian people in removing this murderous regime from power.

Fax Congress and the administration demanding the American government support Iranian freedom.

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SOURCES:

Bussey, Emma. “Iran Accused of Killing 16,500 in Sweeping ‘Genocide’ Crackdown: Report.” Fox News, January 18, 2026. Foxnews.com/world/iran-accused-killing-16500-sweeping-genocide-crackdown-report.

Rauzi, Robin. “Protests in Iran: Q&A with RAND Experts.” RAND, January 14, 2026. Rand.org/pubs/commentary/2026/01/protests-in-iran-qa-with-rand-experts.html.

Shamim, Sarah. “What We Know about the Protests Sweeping Iran.” Al Jazeera, January 12, 2026. Aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/12/what-we-know-about-the-protests-sweeping-iran.